Mystery Deepens: Theories Abound After Tech Billionaire's Yacht Sinks
Italian authorities have recovered a fifth body from the wreckage of the *Bayesian*, a luxury yacht that sank in a storm earlier this week, claiming the life of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch.
The 184-foot vessel, flying the British flag, sank early on Monday, leading to the tragic loss of five individuals. Alongside Lynch, founder of Autonomy and investor in Darktrace, the recovered bodies have been identified as Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley Bank International, and his wife Judy; Chris Morvillo, a Clifford Chance lawyer, and his wife, Neda. Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, remains missing.
The sinking of the £30 million yacht has sparked intense scrutiny, with several theories emerging about the cause of its rapid demise. The vessel's manufacturer, Perini Navi, maintains that the boat was designed for stability, and its crew should have had sufficient time to evacuate passengers.
Theory One: Mast Malfunction
One theory suggests that the yacht's exceptionally tall mast, which was the second tallest on a sailing boat globally, may have been overwhelmed by high winds or a waterspout, essentially a water tornado.
Karsten Borner, skipper of a nearby vessel, witnessed the sinking, stating that the *Bayesian
"went flat [with the mast] on the water, and then went down." The mast and its rigging presented a substantial surface area for wind resistance, even with the sails stowed, possibly contributing to the instability.
Theory Two: Retracted Keel
Another theory centres on the possibility that the yacht's retractable keel, a structural beam running under the vessel, was in the raised position rather than lowered. This would have reduced the *Bayesian*'s stability and increased its vulnerability to strong winds.
The keel is designed to be raised for easier navigation in shallower waters, but in rough seas, it needs to be fully extended for optimal stability.
Theory Three: Unsecured Hatchways
Perhaps the most plausible theory currently is that a major hatch or door on the *Bayesian
was left open, allowing water to rapidly flood the vessel.
Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, believes this is the most likely scenario, citing footage of the sinking that appears to show a hinged door at the rear of the boat in an open position.
Costantino believes that, given the influx of water, the crew should have had sufficient time to get everyone aboard life rafts, indicating a potential breach in safety protocols. He emphatically stated, "Jesus Christ! The hull is intact. The water came in from [hatchways] left open. There is no other possible explanation."
The investigation into the sinking of the *Bayesian
continues. While authorities are working to recover Hannah Lynch, the focus will likely shift towards determining the exact cause of the tragedy and assessing whether any breaches in safety procedures contributed to the loss of life.
